Brother Gutierrez Voted Off The Island

SEIU's motto is "Stronger Together", but that is only because the rest of the words, "... except when someone disagrees with union management", won't fit on the sign.

Steward and union supporter Wally Gutierrez learned on Saturday the verdict of his union trial. On August 27th, a trial body heard two charges brought against Mr. Gutierrez by Executive Board member Kathy Griffee. On the charge of Gross Disloyalty Unbecoming a Member, the "trial board" decided to sustain which is a conviction.

The trial, which had all the drama of a prime time reality TV show, "was basically rigged", says Mr. Gutierrez who then describes how: "First, two of my witnesses got labeled as observers, which made them ineligible to later be called upon as witnesses." Mr. Gutierrez argues further "Then the 'trial board' limited the number of witnesses I could have to four, leaving others I was counting on barred from entry."

"The other side only had hearsay as evidence", was another complaint by Mr. Gutierrez, whose penalty is suspension from the union for two years. "The trial was just a dog and pony show that they had to go through before they could kick me out. The video will clearly show this and that's why they don't want the video being shown" he continued. Asked why the union would want to kick him out, "To retaliate, and to intimidate other members, I believe." was Mr. Gutierrez's answer. As part of the labor management team he filed with PERB a petition that triggered a rescission election. "It is a message they are sending: speak out and this will happen to you too!"

SEIU Local 221 secretary Omar Lopez is seen on a member's home video recorded in front of the 221 union hall just before the trial stating to the dozens of workers who were not allowed to enter that the trial video was going to be available to them. Mr Gutierrez says that Local 221 has since added restrictions on how the video may be shown so he has not yet obtained a copy. Mr. Gutierrez adds "Everyone in our Local should see the video as it will show what a fiasco the trial was. If you've never seen a kangaroo court trial, here's your chance!'

A second charge of engaging in secession was dismissed by the trial board. Mr. Gutierrez said that he is challenging the disloyalty conviction by filing an appeal with SEIU International. He also filed an unfair practice charge with California PERB, claiming that the executive board was using the trial and now the suspension as a method of intimidating members before the upcoming agency fee rescission election. Mr. Gutierrez explained, "That's how they operate."